PC build for Music Production
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 8:45 am
Hello.
I'm about to build a PC for use with Reason 7 (lots of audio recording, also software synths and sampled drums) and already did quite a bit of research by reading guides, reviews and forum posts. So here's my current selection:
CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core
Heatsink: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LP 1x8 GB DDR3-1600
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB (This is my current graphics card, I'll use either this or something better IF I decide to get back into gaming)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 ATX Mid Tower
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer
PSU: Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 10 650W 80+ Gold
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Now here are the things that I couldn't figure out myself, so I hoped that you could help me out here:
- I chose the Z87-A because I decided that I don't actually need the additional features on the Z87-PRO (after comparing them here). However, since I'm planning to overclock my CPU to 4.3GHz I started to wonder if the Z87-A is suitable for this, or if I absolutely need the Z87-PRO.
- I'll get more RAM later if 8GB isn't enough, but I don't think I'll ever use more than 16GB. I'm just not sure what would be more efficient: 2x8GB with dual channel enabled, or 4x4GB?
- I'll use the HDD for storing project files, games and other media. How noticable are the speed and noise differences between WD blues and greens?
- Here's my pcpartpicker link with all future upgrades: http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/2HSeL
Considering that I'll be overclocking, could I get by with the 550W version of the same PSU? This would be a bit quieter, but I'm not sure if 550W is enough for a possible mid-range gaming GPU and additional HDDs. But then again, the difference in price ist only around €10.
- Are the only advantages of Win 7 Professional over Home Premium really just disk encryption and domain join?
Thanks in advance.
I'm about to build a PC for use with Reason 7 (lots of audio recording, also software synths and sampled drums) and already did quite a bit of research by reading guides, reviews and forum posts. So here's my current selection:
CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core
Heatsink: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LP 1x8 GB DDR3-1600
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB (This is my current graphics card, I'll use either this or something better IF I decide to get back into gaming)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 ATX Mid Tower
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer
PSU: Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 10 650W 80+ Gold
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Now here are the things that I couldn't figure out myself, so I hoped that you could help me out here:
- I chose the Z87-A because I decided that I don't actually need the additional features on the Z87-PRO (after comparing them here). However, since I'm planning to overclock my CPU to 4.3GHz I started to wonder if the Z87-A is suitable for this, or if I absolutely need the Z87-PRO.
- I'll get more RAM later if 8GB isn't enough, but I don't think I'll ever use more than 16GB. I'm just not sure what would be more efficient: 2x8GB with dual channel enabled, or 4x4GB?
- I'll use the HDD for storing project files, games and other media. How noticable are the speed and noise differences between WD blues and greens?
- Here's my pcpartpicker link with all future upgrades: http://de.pcpartpicker.com/p/2HSeL
Considering that I'll be overclocking, could I get by with the 550W version of the same PSU? This would be a bit quieter, but I'm not sure if 550W is enough for a possible mid-range gaming GPU and additional HDDs. But then again, the difference in price ist only around €10.
- Are the only advantages of Win 7 Professional over Home Premium really just disk encryption and domain join?
Thanks in advance.